Actually...>Kobe, Phil, David and Tiger all have MASSIVE sponsorship deals that make up a large portion of monies they generate. MOST athletes at "that level" HAVE deals. Which in itself is hella impressive... Credit to Floyd. However....his bank roll greatly fell because of not have sponsors in years he's less active. Those top atheltes stay making money at that level consistantly where Floyd....you live by the sword, you die by it as well.
I agree with you KnuckleUp, at 'that level' sponsorship deals start to make sense as you are marketable. I'm sure they make up for more than half of these athletes yearly income
Probably has a lot more to do with how athletes in general wind up broke a disturbing amount despite millions made, especially in boxing thanks to the uneven distribution of payment.
You could be right. Top athletes probably know early on they can glide through the educational system and do so. With Mayweather look at the family he has to help guide him. I read that your spending habits are heavily influenced by your parents own practices. Kelly Pavlik claims to have already provided for his wife and kid for the rest of their lives. I know his father is pretty much the same background as me.